Timbre

Timbre is the quality or "tone color" of a sound that allows us to distinguish different sources, even if they are playing the same pitch and loudness. It arises from the complex mixture of harmonics (overtones) within a sound wave, as well as how it's produced and transmitted. For example, a guitar and a violin playing the same note sound different because of their unique timbres. This characteristic gives each instrument and voice its distinctive flavor, enabling us to identify and appreciate a wide variety of sounds.